“I’m so happy and proud they’re going to build me a house,” she said. “I’m scared in this one with one side on the ground.”
Ms. Collins was one of five people, with an additional five as backup, approved by the Belton City Council to receive a new home under a Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs grant.
For those on the list, this week proved to be one of joy and tears after months of waiting to find out if they were selected.
“I had almost given up hope,” Mary Guajardo said. “I cried yesterday when I saw our name on the paper.”
Mrs. Guajardo said she and her husband, Angel, have lived in their house for 30 years.
“It’s falling apart,” she said. “I can’t afford a new one. It’s too expensive. It needs new roofing; it needs new windows; it needs new everything. I guess we’re one of the lucky ones.”
Mrs. Guajardo and her husband applied when Belton received the grant in 2003–04, but were not selected at that time. In January, she said she received a telephone call inviting her to apply again. Mrs. Collins’ daughter, Hattie Lucas, said she heard about the program and began investigating it for her mother.
“It’s something good to help her out and put her in a better house,” she said. “We don’t have to worry about finding her on the floor and she broke her leg. She’s always falling (because of bad floors in the house).”
Since applying in January, Mrs. Lucas said she’s been hopeful.
“I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed and praying to God that it would happen,” she said.
Janie Vasquez knew about the program from a neighbor who previously received a new home. Then a friend at church gave her a newspaper article with information about the program.
“I thank God,” she said. “He’s the one who’s been with me and helping me.”
Part of the floor in one bedroom caved in at the house where she has lived for 45 years. In another bedroom, termites destroyed the floor. She bought pallets and used those to create a new floor.
City Manager Sam Listi said the program makes sense on several levels.
“It’s one good thing local government can do,” he said. “It’s good for the homeowners because they get the benefit of a new home.”
The city also benefits with newer homes replacing dilapidated ones.
“We’re making an overall investment to improve our housing stock one house at a time,” he said.
Belton received money during 2001–02 and 2003–04 to replace nine homes each time. This year Belton received $300,000 to replace five homes. Each home will be built for about $60,000 and will be 888 square feet. The owners will be able to choose a two–bedroom one–bath plan or a three–bedroom one–bath plan.
GrantWorks, which is administering the grant for the city, now plans to go out for bids to find a contractor. Plus, additional paperwork must be completed as the program has changed from a grant to a forgivable loan. If the recipient stays in the home for five years the loan will be forgiven. However, if he or she sells the home, then it must be repaid.
List said it could be late fall before the homes are demolished and construction begins.
“Once they get underway, it could be six weeks to two months to build the homes,” he said.
That means the recipients must wait a while longer, maneuvering around holes in floors and dreaming of central heat and air.
“I wish I had it now,” Mrs. Guajardo said.
Mrs. Collins echoed that sentiment.
“I wish it were ready now,” she said. “I can’t wait. My grandson’s got the truck ready for me (to move out).”
A cedar post that once supported Mrs. Collins house now pokes up through the floor in one bedroom. Carpet lies over a floor that sags, and she said she worries about snakes coming into the house.
“I can’t wait to get my house,” she said. “You’ll see me running all downtown saying, ‘I got me a house!’ I’m so proud y’all are going to build me a house.”
jsicking@temple-telegram.com
